[Mazzi]

We have a disscusion at work regarding the Hospice nurse picking up the patients medications (some narcotics). Some feel this goes against Federal Regulation, some State regulations, some that its OK. Does any one know were we can find the information on Transporting Medications? Thanks in advance.

[dosamigos76]

It all depends on the state you live in and their regulations. For example, in Alabama where I moved from, you DID NOT transport ANY medication. Here in Texas, you can transport ANYTHING. Personally, I don't like to carry narcotics with me unless it is an emergency.

HTH

Cheryl

[southcarolina716]

I'd be interested in knowing the answer to this as well. As a CNA we are routinely delivering meds, we are expected to do this to help our RN's it bothers me to have that responsibility, I never would have thought of it bothering the nurses to be honest. On top of carrying the meds, when I deliver them the patients often have questions about them and I am often playing phone tag trying to get a nurse on the phone for them.

[rph3664]

I have worked with hospice nurses in Iowa and Illinois, and in both states, the nurses routinely picked meds up from the pharmacy and delivered them to the patients' homes.

[CANRN]

I live in Ohio and have delivered meds to patients. When doing an admission, we usually stop by the pharmacy and pick up the comfort meds, this includes narcoticcs, especially if the patient maybe having some discomfort.
We also have a courier that delivers meds daily as well. If we get to a patient's home and need emergency delivery, we can call and they are great about going to pharmacy and picking up meds and getting them to us quickly!

[dosamigos76]

Originally Posted by southcarolina716

I never would have thought of it bothering the nurses to be honest.

It can be a bit scary going into some neighborhoods at night... add that people are watching you and they identify you as a nurse and they know you can carry narcs...

Or you have a family that claims "She didn't bring all of this" even though they signed a receipt of delivery.

That's the potential danger.

Cheryl

[CANRN]

Originally Posted by dosamigos76

It can be a bit scary going into some neighborhoods at night... add that people are watching you and they identify you as a nurse and they know you can carry narcs...

Or you have a family that claims "She didn't bring all of this" even though they signed a receipt of delivery.

That's the potential danger.

Cheryl

I understand about some of the neighborhoods and at night. However, I personally, have never taken meds at night as the pharmacy is not available to outpatient services.

If there is a concern about meds in a home, especially narcotics, we have lock boxes that we provide, and if that is not effective, we recommend inpatient placement into LTC facility. There is always a backup plan.

[dosamigos76]

Originally Posted by CANRN

I personally, have never taken meds at night as the pharmacy is not available to outpatient services.

If there is a concern about meds in a home, especially narcotics, we have lock boxes that we provide, and if that is not effective, we recommend inpatient placement into LTC facility. There is always a backup plan.

I agree about options you have if you are concerned regarding diversion.

We have a local pharmacy that will send out a pharmacist for us and fill any script. It is wonderful when you have a change in a patient that no one anticipated or whatever...

Cheryl

[Buckyxj]

We have a contract with walgreens and here in Oklahoma I am have to deliver meds some (I work night shift). Yes some neighborhoods can be scary but I have had only one problem while delivering meds. guy asked what was in my bag and I told him my college books (I carry a book bag) and he went on.

[doodlemom]

We don't make it a frequent thing, but we will deliver medications if there is no way a family member can pick up. We contract with a pharmacy that delivers but not in the middle of the night.